The Rundown for November 18, 2019

TRUMP ATTACKS IMPEACHMENT WITNESS… President Trump on yesterday launched a social-media attack on the State Department employee scheduled to testify at tomorrow’s public impeachment hearing. Jennifer Williams, who served as an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, told lawmakers she was in the White House Situation Room listening to Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reviewed a transcript of Trump’s April call prior to Pence’s own April call with Zelensky. Williams also listened to a second call between Pence and Zelensky, which took place on September 18 after the hold on security assistance was lifted. Trump’s July 25 call is at the center of allegations that Trump south to extort the Ukrainian government over financial and military aid. Trump went on Twitter yesterday and urged Williams to “read BOTH transcripts of the presidential calls” and referred to her as a “Never Trumper.”

PELOSI WARNS TRUMP OVER WHISTLEBLOWER… House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned President Trump against retaliating against the whistleblower whose accusations sparked the ongoing impeachment inquiry. During an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Pelosi claimed she informed Trump, “you’re in my wheelhouse when you come after the whistleblower.” Trump has repeatedly called for the whistleblower to be publicly identified in response to the claims, Trump pressured the Ukraine government to open investigations into Trump’s political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The actions posed national security risks and were an abuse of power, according to the Whistleblower’s report.

SCHUMER CHALLENGES TRUMP TO TESTIFY… During a press conference in New York City yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer challenged President Trump to testify before Congress to express any complaints about the impeachment hearings instead of trying to discredit it on Twitter. Trump, who has labeled the hearings a “witch hunt,” has been vocal on Twitter in defending his innocence and shaming the witnesses and Democratic committee leaders. The White House has instructed administration officials to assert executive privilege in defying subpoenas and others have refused to appear.

U.S. CONDEMNS USE OF FORCE IN HONG KONG… The U.S. condemned Beijing yesterday over the “unjustified use of force” in Hong Kong and called on the Chinese government to protect Hong Kong’s freedom. The condemnation followed battles tweet protesters and Hong Kong police who had trapped them inside Polytechnic University. Demonstrators have spilled over into a tourist district after almost two straight days of a police crackdown.

19 HOSPITALIZED AFTER VIRGINIA CRASH… Heavy fog and icy conditions are being blamed for a crash yesterday morning in Virginia that left 19 people hospitalized. The crash involved a bus and a tractor-trailer on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64. No deaths were reported and injuries sustained ranged from serious to minor.

ENTERTAINMENTLUKE COMBS TOPS ALBUM CHART… Luke Combs’ new release, “What You See Is What You Get,” sold 172,000 copies to top the Billboard 200 album chart. Post Malone’s “Hollywood Bleeding” slipped into a distant second place after selling 72,000 units. YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “AI YoungBoy 2” remained in third place after selling 50,000 copies. Summer Walker’s “Lover” sold 48,000 units to finish fourth. Taylor Swift’s “Lover” capped the top five with 38,000 copies sold.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE… “Ford v Ferrari” took in $31 million to debut atop the weekend box office. Last week’s champ, “Midway,” slipped to second place with $8.7 million. “Charlie’s Angels” opened in third place with $8.6 million. “Playing with Fire” dropped into fourth place with $8.5 million. “Last Christmas” finished fifth with $6.7 million

SPORTSNFL SCORES…Dallas 35 – DETROIT 27… Dak Prescott passed for 444 yards and three touchdowns as the Cowboys got the better of the Lions.

INDIANAPOLIS 33 – Jacksonville 13... Jacoby Brissett threw for a touchdown and ran for another in the Colts’ win over the Jaguars. Jonathan Williams rushed for 116 yards.

Buffalo 37 – MIAMI 20… Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score in leading the Bills past the Dolphins. John Brown had nine catches for 137 yards and a score.

MINNESOTA 27 – Denver 23… The Vikings rallied from a 20-0 halftime deficit to stun the Broncos. Kirk Cousins completed 29 of 35 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns.

New Orleans 34 – TAMPA BAY 17… Drew Brees threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Saints past the Buccaneers. Michael Thomas had eight catches for 114 yards and a score.

N.Y. Jets 34 – WASHINGTON 17… Sam Darnold passe for 292 yards and a career-high four touchdowns as the Jets handled the Redskins. Ryan Griffin had five receptions for 109 yards and a TD.

Atlanta 29 – CAROLINA 3… The Falcons intercepted Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen four times and sacked him five times in the victory. Matt Ryan passed for 311 yards and a touchdown.

SAN FRANCISCO 36 – Arizona 26… Jimmy Garoppolo’s fourth touchdown pass of the day was a 25-yarder to Jeff Wilson Jr. with 31 seconds remaining and lifted the 49ers over the Cardinals. Deebo Samuel pulled in eight catches for 134 yards.

New England 17 – PHILADELPHIA 10… Julian Edelman found Phillip Dorsett with a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and the Patriots held on to beat the Eagles.

L.A. RAMS 17 – Chicago 7… Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown ran for touchdowns and the Rams grinded out a win over the Bears. Gurley totaled 97 yards on the ground.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL…
Kansas City (6-4) is at the L.A. Chargers (4-6)

NBA SCORES…NEW ORLEANS 108 – Golden State 100… J.J. Redick made six 3-pointers on the way to 26 points and the Pelicans fought off the Warriors.

Philadelphia 114 – CLEVELAND 95… Tobias Harris pumped in 27 points to lead the 76ers in their rout of the Cavaliers. Ben Simmons had 10 points and 11 assists.

SACRAMENTO 100 – Boston 99… Richaun Holmes’s two free throws with 13.3 seconds remaining gave the Kings the lead and they held on to end the Celtics’ 10-game winning streak. Buddy Hield scored a season-high 35 points.

Denver 131 – MEMPHIS 114… The Nuggets bombed the Grizzlies 44-17 in the second quarter to build a 23-point halftime lead and cruised past the Grizzlies. Jamal Murray scored 39 points to lead all scorers.

L.A. LAKERS 122 – Atlanta 101… The Lakers built a double-digit lead early and coasted past the Hawks. LeBron James had game-highs with 33 points and 12 assists. He was one of seven Lakers in double figures.

TONIGHT’S NBA SCHEDULE…
Cleveland is at New York…
Brooklyn hosts Indiana…
Charlotte is at Toronto…
Houston hosts Portland…
Milwaukee is at Chicago…
Dallas hosts San Antonio…
Boston is at Phoenix…
New Orleans hosts Minnesota…
the L.A. Clippers host Oklahoma City